A film that spent years fighting to be seen has been silenced again — and the internet isn’t staying quiet about it.
Diljit Dosanjh’s much-anticipated Satluj, originally titled Panjab 95, finally premiered on ZEE5 on July 3, 2026, after an exhausting multi-year battle with India’s Central Board of Film Certification, which had reportedly demanded as many as 127 cuts before the film could be cleared. The film, directed by Honey Trehan and based on the life of Sikh human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, premiered uncut on ZEE5 — only to be abruptly pulled from the platform in India within 48 hours.
ZEE5 issued an official statement citing only “current developments” as the reason, while confirming the film remains available on ZEE5 Global for international viewers. “In light of the current developments, Satluj will be unavailable in India until further notice. We remain committed to exploring every appropriate avenue through due process to bring the film back to our audiences at the earliest opportunity,” the platform said, adding that its commitment to authentic storytelling remains unchanged.
Several viewers reported that the film stopped playing midway through their watch, with others finding it completely unavailable on the platform.
Internet Stands with Satluj
The response on social media has been overwhelming. Fans, film lovers, and free speech advocates rallied behind the film, calling the removal an act of suppression. Former cricketer and MP Harbhajan Singh praised Diljit Dosanjh’s performance and Honey Trehan’s direction, calling it a must-watch.
The removal has also drawn uncomfortable comparisons — films such as The Kashmir Files, The Kerala Story, The Bengal Files, and The Kerala Story 2 continue to stream on ZEE5 without interruption, prompting audiences to question why a film about Sikh human rights faces removal while others do not.
For Diljit Dosanjh, the film was deeply personal. He revealed he needed a week off after filming just to process the emotional weight of portraying Jaswant Singh Khalra.
Satluj may be off Indian screens for now — but its story, and the conversation it has started, is only growing louder.
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